Political Parties Flashcards
what sort of democracy do we have in the UK
Representative democracy
What is a representative democracy
we vote for MPs to make decisions on our behalf
How are the elected MPs made accountable
in general elections
What is a party system
Several types of party system models
One party dominance, multiparty sharing of influence, 2 party system - duopoly - means shared power between 2 leading political parties
2 and half party system - smaller party hold the balance of power
What is the political spectrum in the UK
Left and right wing political ideas
Name the left wing poliTICAL IDEAS
Define left wing
1 have a positive view of the state and a collectivist view of society
2 believe government should reduce inequality and encourage social cohesion by providing an extensive welfare sate
3 wealthier in society should pay a higher share of the cost of this through redistribution taxations
4 generally enjoyed close relationship with unions since unions also represent economic
5 embrace multiculturalism. Supports alternative lifestyles
Identify Right Wing political ideas
Define right wing
1 focus on the importance of giving the individual as much control over their own lives as possible
2 reject left wing attempts encouraging greater equality
3 believes free market works best when little government interference
4 governments aims to keep taxation as low as possible and limit trade union influence to encourage smooth operation of the market
5 companies operate best when there is competition so national firms are best privatized
6 emphasizes importance of a shared national identity and encourages traditional lifestyles
What is a political party
made up of members who share a same political ideology - don’t always agree on every political opinion
what is adversary politics
Give example
a time when there are vast ideological differences between 2 main parties
In 1980s labour leader Michael foot against free market reforms of Margret Thatcher
give an example What is consensus politics
when there are similar philosophies and policy similarities between main parties - opposition many be able to support some government policies
Tony Blair embraced traditional conservative principle of free market and low taxation
What is mandate
when a party wins a general election it can claim legitimate right or mandate from the electorate to implement its manifesto promises
How are candidates selected
1 applicant must be a member of the party and go through national selection process to become an approved candidate
2 if they pass they can apply to a constituency that chooses them if they feel they will increase the party’s share of the vote
3once candidate wins a seat they can claim to have an electoral mandate to represent that seat in House of Commons
Does a local party have to automatically endorse the MP as a candidate for next election
Give an example
No - if their views oppose local activity
2022 Labour MP Sam Terry sacked as shadow minister on grounds he was out of touch with leadership
How does the Conservative Party elect party leader
1 they put forward 2 candidates and party memebers decide
How can the influence of party members be side stepped in the election of a party leader
Give an example
One candidate withdraws ensuring the other member is elected
2016 Andrea Leasim withdrew ensureing Theresa May was conservative leader
How does policy formation differ between the parties
Labour - a national policy forum consults with party members over the development of policy (manifesto)
Conservative manifesto is drawn up by senior members of parliament
Green and Lib Dems give party membership final decision ove what appears in manifesto
Outline the steps from manifesto to mandate
Manifesto
1 party publishes manifesto surfing general election campaign - what they hope to achieve if form a government
2 if they win election can claim legitimacy to carry out manifesto commitments
3 these promises form basis of monarchs address at beginning of new parliament
Mandate
1 party wins election and has a mandate to govern country- authority to enact manifesto commitments
2 if no party has achieved majority a coalition is established - the mandate does not run smoothly
3 government can claim doctors mandate which means it can propose measures not in their manifesto in response to changing circumstances - eg response to COVID
How do political parties campaign during elections
Party activists deliver leaflets, canvass voters on the doorstep and arrange political events so voters can understand the choices between candidates . Increasing use of internet and social media to engage voters
Do political parties help or hinder representative democracy
Help
1 representative democracy could not function without political parties - if politicians only represented their own views it would be hard to establish a government as members would not be united by one political ideology
2 political parties develop coherent programmed through discussion- parties then issue manifestos to enable voters across the country to make informed choices about who they vote for
3 with out parties voting in elections would be more complicated as voters could not associate a candidate with a particular party manifesto
4 political parties select suitable candidates to stand for public office - with out parties wealthy individuals with their own agenda might find it easier to access power, with potentially dangerous consequences for uk democracy
5 opposition parties can make the government accountable for its policies in a way that an individual could not
6 parties are vital in organizing parliamentary business- if they didn’t exist representative bodies would be confused and disorganized
HINDER
1 political parties reduce voter choice by requiring voters to associate with the manifesto of a party even though the manifesto might not fully represent their political views
2 the freedom of action of MPs is reduced because although they can argue they have their personal mandate the party whip expects them to support the programme of the political party
3 The “spirit of fraction” that political parties create has been critiqued for creating a confrontational negative approach to government. Parties often focus on their differences and fail to work together- the gulf been democrats and republicans in US which led to shut down in government shows how negative this can be
4 parties give great power to party membership by selecting the party leader so membership determines who will be PM in next election
5 the way the main parties benefit from disproportional funding ensures they can monopolies political decision making
How are parties funded
1 some countries the state funds its political parties
2 in UL parties rely on private funding and some access to public funds to subsidize policy development and parliamentary scrutiny
What is the criticism of private funding of political parties
wealthy investors can bankroll a party for their own interests
£2 million to all main parties to employ advisors - policy development grants
Short money allocated to opposition for their work in the commons based on the number of seats they have
Leader of opposition funded £80-00,000 to run offices
Cranbourne money subsidies work of scrutiny carried out by opposition in the House of Lords
Cams-sign and election expenses depend of subscriptions of party members and donations
What do critics say about this way of funding
gives conservatives a massive advantage and the wealthy can have a disproportionate influence in uk politics and that donations from the unions makes labour to closely associated with Labour Party
\and parties that don’t have financial ties are at a disadvantage
What is the purpose of political parties electoral and referendums act 2000
States some rules concerning party funding that are designed to encourage greater transparncy
List 3 important requirements of the political parties and elections and referendums act
1 independent electoral commission established to record to record and make public how political parties are funded
2the amount a party can spend in a constituency during an election is limited to £30,000
3 political parties must register large donations over £7500 with electoral commission and can not accept donations from non uk citizens
What was the cash for honors scandal
Tony Blairs final year as PM suggested that certain Labour donors had been given places in House of Lords because they donated to the party.
Blair commissioned the Phillips report to investigate which concluded there was a strong case for political parties to be funded through taxation and for a limit of £500,000 on donations
These recommendations have not been acted on - conservatives get the most donations are unwilling to lose this advantage and labour does not want to remove financial support it gets from unions
Should parties in the UK be state funded
YES
1in 2019 general election conservative and labour parties were responsible for over 80% of the total campaign spending - this influence reinforces a duopoly in UK
2 public funding of the political parties would create a more even playing field so McAllen parties would not be so disadvantaged in elections
3 the way they are funded connects labour and conservatives too trade unions and big businesses c- if this connection was broken both parties would be more responsive to wider public
4there are examples of big donors to political parties being awarded peerages . Public funding would remove the claims of corruption and help to restore public trust in politicians
5 cost of state funding the parties would be small so increase in taxation would be little
NO
1 in a free democracy people should be able to support any cause they want
2 if the state were to fund the parties it would be controversial to decide how much each party should claim
3 state funding may suggest political parties are servants of the state which might limit their political independence
4 evidence suggest that disproportionate financial influence between parties has little impact on electoral success
5 all parties raise money by charging for membership - if it were state funding there would be less incentive to encourage political activism and public engagement
Outline the history of the Conservative Party
1 during the English civil war royalists (supporters of the monarchy and Church of England) resisted giving parliament more power and influence and giving people more freedom of worship
2 they feared that if parliament had more power society would be destabilized and violent
2 the principles of the French Revolution of liberty and equality were in conflict with traditional conservative principles
3 English whip Edmund Burle was horrified by Britons showing enthusiasm for the French Revolution
4 conservatives were aware of the potential of mob rule and tried to stop the radical changes and by 19th century Tory party was the party of property authority tradition and stability
What is one nation conservatism
The Conservative Party should protect and advance the interests of the whole nation- more inclusive and progressive than traditional conservatism
Name 3 conservative PMs who supported one nation pricnciples
Benjamin Disraeli
Stanley Baldwin
Edward Heath
What caused the undermining of one nation in the 1970s
Industrial unrest - unions demanding higher pay for workers
Thatcher defeated Edwards Heath in 1975 for the leadership of the Conservative Party what principles replaced one nation
New Right
What were the principles of New Right (Thatcherism)
1 economy best regulates itself with little government intervention as possible- business people and entrepreneurs create wealth -
2 encouraging social stability
How did economist Adam Smith suggest economy could regulate itself
1 keeping tax low
2 reducing inflation and interest rates
3 discouraging a dependency culture (welfare state reliance)
4 limit influence of trade unions
How was the state to promote social stability
1 discourage permissive and alternative lifestyles
2 giving government powers to fight crime and disorder
3 protect the nation with strong defence policy
what was a major criticism of the Thatcher party
Focused to much of free market and allowed society to be divided
Describe modern day conservative policies
Economy- currently in a period of transition on over whether its priority should be encouyraging growth or balancing the budget
Welfare - universal credit system based on principle more you earn the fewer benefits you receive suggests an anti dependency approach
Law and order - committed to strict enforcement of law and order
Foreign Policy - commitment to strong national defence policy designed to protect British interests and demonstrate uks continued military outreach
List 3 ways in which modern conservatism is influenced by thaturism
1 anti dependency - welfare associated with thaturism
2 law and order - appointment of Home Secretaries who are against liberalism
3 economy - response to recession with high taxes and cuts in public spending similar to that hurts good housekeeping po;icy
Define leveling up
Levelling Up means creating opportunities for everyone across the UK by:
improving jobs, pay and living standards
making streets safer
protecting health and wellbeing
investing in high streets and town centres
improving local transport
What are the dates of the thatcher government
1979-1990
List 6 more recent conservative PMs
Rishi Sunak
Liz Truss
Boris Johnson
Theresa May
David Cameron
Margaret Thatcher
Since resignation of David Cameron there has been significant divisions in the party. Identify issues where conflict within the party lies
1 Liz Truss wanting to borrow to finance tax cuts and avoid public spending cuts
2 Johnson and Sunak governments wanting to
keep taxes high to maintain public spending
3 Home Secretaries `printing Pate; and Stella Braverman adopting more socially conservative policies
4Truss announcing denting ban on fracking and wanting to expand North Sea oil and gas extraction
What was labour established to represent
the interests of the working class
What are old labour principles
associated with left wing princples of positive intervention
To create a more equal society through
1 higher taxes on the wealthy
2 nationalization of public services
3 generous welfare provision
Labours members have included marxists so why is it not seen as a Marxist party
because it is not committed to overthrowing the capital free market
What is the idea central to labours ideology
That we achieve more by working togetherfor the common good rather than competing according to our own interests
Have have Labour governments tried to create a more just and inclusive society
1 nationalism - government runs key industries in the interests of the workers and the nation
2 redistributive taxation - the wealthier in society pay a greater share of tax
3 supporting a welfare state
4 building close links with trade unions as labour was established to protect and advance interests of the workers
Who was the first PM of a Labour government
Clement Attlee 1945-1951
What were the high points of the Attlee government
1948 introduction of national health service
20% of economy was nationalized including steel, electricity, coal and Bank of England
What did Harold Wilsons government 1964-1970 and 1974-1976 attempt to create
A fairer more equal society based on economic expansion
What were high points of Wilson’s government
1 1965 announced nation al plan for economic growth
2 maintenance grant was introduced to make it easier for people from poorer backgrounds to go to university
3 open university established to help people from poorer backgrounds go to university
4 committed to expanding comprehensive education system at expense of grammar schools , encouraging more inclusive society
5 Acts of parliament passed to encourage fairer more inclusive society eg race relations act 1968
6 to pay for generous welfar state taxes on wealthier dramatically increased
1n 1979 general election what led to the defeat of James Callaghan by Margaret Thatcher what changes did this defeat prompt
Michael Foot was elected Labour leader in 1980 and the party moved to the left in their 1883 manifesto they committed to further nationalization, increased ta and unilateral military disarmament
In the next election conservatives won a landslide victory
What did this 1983 landslide victory prompt labour to do
abandoned socialist policies and moved to the Centre
What action transformed the Labour Party
election of Tony Blair as party leader
What was Blair influenced by
the principles of the third way - developed by Gideon’s
What was the third way
A compromise between extremes of socialism and capitalism
Not committing to belief in nationalization, redistribution of tax, class conflict and commitment to collectivism and equality
Instead focus on inclusion and community , encourage wealth creation instead of redistribution , loosen ties with trade unions
What did Blairs views become known as
New Labour
What was a key moment for New Labour
In 1995 part of the Labour constitution was modified to abandon commitment to nationalization and accept ecconomic benefits of a free market
what is New Labour
Third Way combines left wing commitment to social justice and a right wing emphasis on the value of free markets in encouraging economic prosperity
What were the criticisms of the more left wing members of the party
Tony Benn and Jeremy Corbin believed new labour was abandoning real socialism
List 5 key policies of new labour
1 kept top rate tax at 40% believing weariest were wealth creators and economy would grown faster if their taxes were kept low
2 enabling - state school given more independence from LA
3 tuition fees introduced students must contribute towards higher education
4introduced tough laws on antisocial behaviour
5 removal of hereditary peers from the lords
6 European convention of human rights incorporated into law
7 introduced minimum wage and increased spending on public services - showing commitment. To social justice
What was the end of new labour
In response to global economic crisis brown introduced 50p top rate of taxation over3150,000 AND A BANK BAILOUT PROGRAM
What signaled the most striking shift in Labour Party in 2015
Election of Jeremy Corbin
After Jeremy Corbin was elected what group grew and what was its purpose
Momentum to encourage spread of democratic socialist principles in the party
What happened to the Labour Party during the 2019 election
Party won smallest number of seats which prompted labour to move back towards Labour moving back towards Centre under kier stammer
What are current labour ideas and policies
Keri Stammer has moved away from democratic socialism of Jeremy Corbin , but has not returned to principles of new labour
he is committed to achieving social justice through mixed economy and labour still believes in redistributive taxation
List Labour PMs since 1945
Tony Blair
Harold Wilson
Clement Attlee
What are modern day labour policies
economy - no longer committed to nationalization of energy firms but did promise a public owned energy company
Labour more likely than conservatives to tax wealth
Welfare - Starmer promised a great renewal of NHS Labour is committed to abolishing universal credit and removing charitable status of independent schools and moving those funds to the state sector and abolishing tuition fees
Law and order pledged to strengthen the law on crimes and increase police on the streets
Foreign policy - committed to NATO SAND AN INDEPENDANT NUCLEAR DETERANT and is focused on UKs national security interests
What is nationalization
Nationalization is the process of taking privately-controlled companies, industries, or assets and putting them under the control of the government.
Define social justice
justice in terms of the distribution of wealth, opportunities, and privileges within a society.
How and when did was liberal Democratic Party established
1988 - newest party in UK
Origins in 1850s whigs and radicals supported reform of parliament and limits on royal authority
They also supported former MP Robert Peel who split the conservative party over his repeal of Corn Laws
Tthey came together on issue of free trade and under leadership of William Gladstone the liberal party was formed who as well as free trade believed in lower taxes, balanced budgets, parliamentary reform and moral approach to foreign policy
What is the belief of modern liberalism
As well as accepting the importance of civil liberties, free market and limited government it acknowledges government should play an important role in advancing social justice
What did Asquith introduce
Old age benefit, sickness and unemployment insurance which were partly funded by higher taxes of the wealthy
Why did liberal party decline in 1900s
Labour Party grew and began to share the power of Conservative Party
In 1988 how was Liberal Democratic Party formed
Liberal party entered an electoral pact with former labour MPS who had establish SDP social Democratic Party they grew into Lib Dem party
How did they achieve entering government
David Cameron needed their support to form a government and they negotiated a coalition government
Describe modern day policy
The economy - committed to increase in’s income tax by 1p and using this extra £7 billion for NHS and invest £150 billion on green infastructure over 3 years
Welfare - restore university grants encouraging young disadvantaged to attend university and would prefer free childcare for pre school
Law and order - support community policing and has a prevention approach to crime, Commitment to legalizing cannabis
Foreign policy - want a strong relationship with European Union, commitment to not cutting overseas aid , support UKs independent nuclear deterrent and NATO membership to protect British security, support further devolution
List 3 main parties that have dominated politics since WW2
conservative
Labour
Liberals/alliance/liberal democrats
List minor parties that have achieved a level of success
Communist party of Great Britain
British National Party
Scottish National Party SNP
Plaid Cymru
UKIP/Brexit/Reform UK
~Green Party
Democratic Unionist Party
Sinn Fein
Why does SNP play a significant role in British politics
because it has won enough seats in House of Commons to make it the 3 biggest party in the commons since 2015
Where has SNPs most powerful influence been seen
in government of Scotland
list Snp policies that have had a dramatic impact
1 Scotland maintained free university tuition
2 prescriptions, bus passes for under 22, NHS dental treatment for under 26s is free
3 16-17 can vote in local elections and in scotlands independence referendum
4 their response to pandemic raised their profile
5
What constrains the Scottish government
UK Supreme Court
What is the result of this constraint
Sturgeons decision to call another independent referendum was illegal since this power was reserved for Westminster
What has limited SNP influence in Westminster
the unwillingness of the Labour Party to work to closely with them
What constrains SNP influence in Scotland
Scotland is part of UK eg SNP rejects nuclear weapons but national defence policy is determined at Westminster. Trident is still based in Scotland
Where does the main support for Plaid Cymru come from
Welsh speaking parts of WALES
What does UKIP stand for
UK Independence Party
What has contributed to UKIPs electoral success
1 expansion of EU resulting in number of Eastern Europeans coming to UK
2 Nigel FARAGES HIGH PROFILE MEDIA PRESENCE
Where have UKIP had the most influence of UK policy
Camerons manifesto to offer an in/out referendum on membership of EU in response to the growth of euroscepticism which UKIP had fueled and influenced the leave vote
Which party did Farage go on to establish
BREXIT Party later rebranded as Reform Uk - committed to lower taxes, secure borders, cheaper energy and zero waiting lists
What was the Green Party formally known as
PEOPLE and then Ecology Party
How have the Green Party been able to influence results
in constituencies where they have significant support they have decided not to stand so boosting the votes for one party at the expense of another
Where do the greens have greater influence
Scottish Parliament - they are also a pro independent party
Also have an influence in British politics increasing awareness of the importance of environmental protections
What was the priority for Ian Paisley’s DUP Democratic Unionist Party
To keep Northern Ireland part of the IK
How did the DUP contribute to the peace process
Initially opposed to power sharing with republican parties in 2005 DUP became largest unionist party in Westminster and Paisly eventually agreed to power sharing with Sinn Fein
What is confidence and supply
When a minority government retains power by arranging with another party that it will support it in a vote of no confidence and on the budget
Who did DUP make a confidence and supply agreement with and what was the impact
Conservatives in return DUP secured £1 billion in funding for Northern Ireland and veto Mays Brexit proposed legislation
But when conservatives won a majority at general election DUPlost negotiating powers and was unable to block the Northern Ireland Protocol that kept NI in EU and establishing trade border between NI and rest of UK
What are Sinn Fein committed to
unification of Ireland
As it doesn’t recognize NI being part of UK they do not take their seats in Westminster
Why has twenth century British politics been dominated by 2 main parties (duopoly)
caused by social classes identifying with one or another of main parties
Class based voting has resulted in working class generally vote labour and middle and upper voting conservate
Identify periods of one party dominance
1951-64 and 1979-92 Conservative Party permanently in government
New Labour dominated winning 3 consecutive general elections 1997 2001 and 2005
Why does FPTP make it difficult for smaller parties to gain representation
lack the support that larger parties have
Lack of funding
What has this led to
Voter belief that a vote for a minority party is a wasted vote
What is a 2 party system
distribution of power where 2 parties share power between them also called duopoly
When did the challenge for this 2 party system begin
1980s when SDP was established by members of former Labour Party and formed an alliance with liberal party
What was decline on Westminster duopoly facilitated by
Voters increasingly voting on specific issues rather that according to class
Define a two and a half penny system
distribution of political power where a third smaller party can hold the balance of power between 2 or more dominant parties
Has the UK become a multiparty democracy
YES
1In devolved legislatures, power is shared by more than 2 parties
2 smaller parties have been highly influential in recent general elections
3 SNP has significant Westminster presence which would be important in a hung parliament
4 smaller parties have influence by setting the political agenda eg influence of Green Party all main parties have adopted more environmentally friendly policies
NO
1 Westminster parliament determines constitutional issues and those concerning foreign policy and defence The dominance of labour and conservative here means although SNP is domineer in Scotland it can not secure a second referendum
2 iN 2019 labour and conservative won majority of seats meaning their influence remains dominant
3 although in the past Lib dem support increased and broke the labour/conservative duopoly more recently this has dipped again
4 in every election since 1922 the party with most seats has been conservative or labour
What is spatial leadership
A charismatic, empathetic leader Distances himself from the party so the voters put faith in the leader more than the party eg Mrs Thatcher won 3 elections as she appealed to aspirational working class voters
What then do small parties need if they are to change voting allegiance
An effective leader who is media friendly
The party leader is vital in determining how successful a political party is
Yes
1
Mrs Thatchers dominant leadership style among non Tory voters
2 Tony Blair won landslide victories by appealing to middle class who traditionally voted conservative
3 Harold Macmillan was called Superman by a cartoonist - wasn’t supposed to be a compliment but he won a slandslide victory
4 Nick Clegg gave an impressive performance in a televised leaders debate in 2010 general election stopped Cameron winning a majority and led to coalition
NO
1 Atlee won a landslide victory even though he did not have Churchills charisma
2 Theresa May is generally seen as a less impressive leader then Mrs Thatcher even though she won the same amount of votes
3 in 1970 Heath won a surprise general election victory over Wilson even though was not inspirational voters abandoned Wilson because he did not address the industrial unrest
How are media important to a political party
A good relationship with the media helps a party achieve political success So important was influencing the media become the term spin doctor was invented
If a party has a poor relationship with media it is more difficult to iencourage favour able stories
What did Tony Blairs press secretary achieve
ensured new labour was able to control the political agenda as much as possible nick Clegg became so popular term Cleggmania was invented
What else helps a party achieve success
Reputation for being a competent government or an ineffective opposition
Good party leader m
The thrust of a Campagn eg 1992 Conservatives claimed `Labours manifesto was to increase taxes
What else can stand in a party’s way
An effective opposition Tony Blair undermined Majors government
Does good party funding guarantee victory
no Conservative Party dominates funding but lost 3 elections to new labour even though they had far greater resources
Growth of SNP has been achieved with almost no financial backing
Give an example where a high profile policy statement, manifesto commitment was reported in the media and had a dramatic impact on a political party
1979 general election conservative manifesto promised to allow council tenants to buy their homes this increased their support
In summary what elements contribute to party success and failure
1 Popularity and image of leader,
2 relationship with media
3 record in governement
4 record in opposition
5 funding and organisation
6choices of candidate and campaign methods
7 policy statements and manifesto
8 impact of any referendums
How can referendums have an impact
They can be used for self interest Harold Wilson won votes as he promised a referendum on UKs continued membership on EEC
